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Author Topic: vocal mic windscreens  (Read 3553 times)

Weogo Reed

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vocal mic windscreens
« on: April 02, 2021, 04:12:01 PM »

Hi Folks,

    I have an outdoor gig coming up with a total of four mics, but
about 40 people speaking on one of them.

    The speaking mic will be either a KSM8, E935 or PR35.
E935  47mm     1.85" overall diameter
KSM8 48.3mm 1.9"
PR35  50mm    1.97"
(For reference, an SM58 is 51mm  2".)

    The customer asked me to provide 40 windscreens, with a new one
on the speaking mic every time a different person steps up to speak.
One assistant will be the designated windscreen changer.
I have about 20 various 'vocal-ball' windscreens but am going to buy
a whole bunch of the 'optimal' windscreen.

    The Shure A58WS is the old ball-mic standard, but
it won't completely cover the ports on the KSM8.

    I ordered a Shure A85WS to try.
   
    The Senny MZW-1 is good and snug, no wobbling, but slow off/on.
   
    I like the one supplied with the Heil PR35, as
it has a little larger outside diameter and seems to be
particularly effective at stopping wind noise, but is a snug fit.

    What windscreen would be your first choice?

Thanks and good health,  Weogo
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Milt Hathaway

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2021, 04:52:19 PM »

About a month ago when I had a client request something similar (for about 28 windscreens) I looked at all the usual outlets and could find none with anywhere near that number of windscreens available for sale. What we settled on (and what did the job well) was saran wrap over a windscreen with rubber bands to hold the saran wrap on. Speech travels through the lightweight saran wrap just fine, and the wrap is easy to change between speakers.

To make the changeover even faster we used wireless handhelds as lectern mics, and had three designated for each position. This allowed us to have at least one (if not two) ready to be be quickly swapped at the lectern, and then we could take the used mic back to our table to clean and prep for the next swap.

As far as covering the KSM8 ports goes, the Windtech 900 series 1 5/8" I.D. windscreen does, but just by barely 1/8". It does fit securely.
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Dave Pluke

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2021, 05:53:56 PM »

... I looked at all the usual outlets and could find none with anywhere near that number of windscreens available for sale.

One of the ingredients used to make foam is in short supply and producers have put their customers on rations. If you stumble across stock, buy it now.

@Weogo, what is the turn around time between speaker changes? There are UVC/Ozone purifiers (marketed for baby stuff) that can sterilize in 11 minutes. If acceptable, that would cut down on the total number needed.

Dave
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Rick Earl

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #3 on: April 02, 2021, 05:59:14 PM »

Hi Folks,

    I have an outdoor gig coming up with a total of four mics, but
about 40 people speaking on one of them.

    The speaking mic will be either a KSM8, E935 or PR35.
E935  47mm     1.85" overall diameter
KSM8 48.3mm 1.9"
PR35  50mm    1.97"
(For reference, an SM58 is 51mm  2".)

    The customer asked me to provide 40 windscreens, with a new one
on the speaking mic every time a different person steps up to speak.
One assistant will be the designated windscreen changer.
I have about 20 various 'vocal-ball' windscreens but am going to buy
a whole bunch of the 'optimal' windscreen.

    The Shure A58WS is the old ball-mic standard, but
it won't completely cover the ports on the KSM8.

    I ordered a Shure A85WS to try.
   
    The Senny MZW-1 is good and snug, no wobbling, but slow off/on.
   
    I like the one supplied with the Heil PR35, as
it has a little larger outside diameter and seems to be
particularly effective at stopping wind noise, but is a snug fit.

    What windscreen would be your first choice?

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

I bought these for a similar use: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1277355-REG/hygenx_x19mmpbkg_sanitary_disposable_microphone_covers.html
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Corey Scogin

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #4 on: April 02, 2021, 06:04:00 PM »

I bought these for a similar use: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1277355-REG/hygenx_x19mmpbkg_sanitary_disposable_microphone_covers.html

What's your experience with how those affect the sound?
Do they provide some wind/breath diffusion as well? If so, how does it compare with a typical foam windscreen?

They seem like something that might be a good alternative for festivals & other multi-performer events.
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Weogo Reed

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #5 on: April 02, 2021, 06:53:51 PM »

Hi Milt,

    The saran wrap sounds useful.  Does the wrap look good enough for a video shoot?
The multi-mic option makes so much sense!

    Dave, the note about short-supply foam ingredients makes sense  -  my
last windscreen purchase was from three suppliers to get everything needed.
    For speaking time, there will be at least one ten minute speech and
several fifteen second introductions followed by one ~ five minute talks.
    The UVC/Ozone purifier might be helpful.
This one says it only takes two minutes:
 https://wellbefore.com/products/portable-uvc-led-sterilizing-bag-24-leds?variant=32925246455937&currency=USD&msclkid=7748049de4a715a7cef764fa7dd491d1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Smart-Shopping-UV-Box&utm_term=4576511007409429&utm_content=UV%20Box
Do you know of anything better?

    Rick, am I correct in guessing the disposable covers don't really work as windscreens?
As I think Corey hints at, they look most useful for indoors.
Or can the covers easily fit OVER the bigger windscreens, like
the 3.25" long one on the PR35?

Thanks and good health,  Weogo
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Rick Earl

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #6 on: April 02, 2021, 07:03:14 PM »

What's your experience with how those affect the sound?
Do they provide some wind/breath diffusion as well? If so, how does it compare with a typical foam windscreen?

They seem like something that might be a good alternative for festivals & other multi-performer events.
They are a non-woven material and do offer some protection, but not as much as foam. I did use them outside on their own for a sports broadcast and they worked fine.

Quote
    Rick, am I correct in guessing the disposable covers don't really work as windscreens?
As I think Corey hints at, they look most useful for indoors.
Or can the covers easily fit OVER the bigger windscreens, like
the 3.25" long one on the PR35?
 

I have put them over standard 58 windscreens.  I cannot tell you if they would fit the PR-35.   

It usually has to be pretty windy for me to pull out windscreens outside, especially with a dynamic mic so I've never had a need to use foam screens on my PR-35s or KSM-8s before.  I won't be back into work until Tuesday, otherwise I would try for you.
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Milt Hathaway

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #7 on: April 02, 2021, 10:42:17 PM »

Hi Milt,

    The saran wrap sounds useful.  Does the wrap look good enough for a video shoot?
The multi-mic option makes so much sense!

Oh, a video shoot? No, the saran wrap looks terrible.

For another less-concerned client I simply did the multi-mic arrangement, but I was inside where windscreens weren't needed and I had plenty of time to wipe down the mics between swaps. Having a couple of desk stands helps here, as you can point the mic being cleaned downward and let excess cleaner drip off of the ball instead of into the element, and then let it stay there to dry. I use the mic's position pointing downward as a sign that the mic has been cleaned.
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Dave Garoutte

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #8 on: April 02, 2021, 10:52:05 PM »

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Tim McCulloch

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #9 on: April 03, 2021, 01:47:54 AM »

Well.  Is the foam windscreen for wind or for pseudo virii prevention?

If you don't need them for wind/breath noise, a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe will sanitize the microphone with a 30 second wet time.  70% isopropyl alcohol will do the same with a 30 second stay-wet time.

The virus does not jump from the microphone to the nose.  If the presenters do not lick the mic, if they do not stick it up there noses, if they do not rub the ball of the mic on their eyeballs... most of this is frankly sanitation theater.

Don't touch the mic.  Don't lick the mic.  Don't worry.
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Helge A Bentsen

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #10 on: April 03, 2021, 06:14:29 AM »

Or, since this isn't going to disappear soon.
Buy more mics and swap mics. Make a cleaning station off-stage if you need to recycle them during the show, there you can clean them properly and have time to let them dry.
Looks a lot better than cleaning stuff on stage.

I do that all the time with headbands, each presenter get's his own and I clean them if needed off-stage during breaks.
One dedicated cleaning person for a show equals around 8 channels of wireless at the moment, so usually there isn't too difficult to get people to accept having to rent more gear.
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Dan Richardson

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #11 on: April 03, 2021, 08:27:43 AM »

The virus does not jump from the microphone to the nose.  If the presenters do not lick the mic, if they do not stick it up there noses, if they do not rub the ball of the mic on their eyeballs... most of this is frankly sanitation theater.

The HamiltonBuhl HygenX covers are perfect for that. They say "Look, I'm making an effort", without looking terrible on video or affecting the sound. Stream performers have really appreciated seeing them on their mics this whole time. If you also need wind protection, they will stay in place on a standard foam filter. I like that nobody is leaving their DNA or lipstick on my mics any more, let alone their viruses.
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #12 on: April 03, 2021, 01:06:30 PM »

I helped produce a series of training videos with Carlson Audio in Seattle for the Audio Engineering Society 2020 Convention live track.

Cleaning on site will take less time (note the products I mentioned) and not require sourcing foam windscreens from multiple sources.
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Dave Pluke

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #13 on: April 04, 2021, 06:36:26 PM »

    Dave, the note about short-supply foam ingredients makes sense  -  my
last windscreen purchase was from three suppliers to get everything needed.
    For speaking time, there will be at least one ten minute speech and
several fifteen second introductions followed by one ~ five minute talks.
    The UVC/Ozone purifier might be helpful.
This one says it only takes two minutes:
 https://wellbefore.com/products/portable-uvc-led-sterilizing-bag-24-leds?variant=32925246455937&currency=USD&msclkid=7748049de4a715a7cef764fa7dd491d1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Smart-Shopping-UV-Box&utm_term=4576511007409429&utm_content=UV%20Box
Do you know of anything better?


Weogo,
I don't see my exact model, but it's similar to this version:  https://www.amazon.com/Coral-UV-Replacement-Ultraviolet-Sterilizer/dp/B07SCX9MB7/

I like Helge's comment re: swapping mics and sanitizing off stage in rotation.

Also Tim's comment is valid. The extra foam windscreen is probably more placebo than protection. The factory windscreen of an SM58, for example, can be unscrewed and sanitized in pretty short order and spares (at least, pre-pandemic) have been readily available.

Good luck!
Dave
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Scott Helmke

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2021, 10:11:55 AM »

Whether or not a windscreen is a placebo, we do work in a service industry and the customer is always right.
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Weogo Reed

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #15 on: April 06, 2021, 10:22:36 AM »

Hi Folks,

    I appreciate everybody for all of the excellent suggestions!
Am going to do a mix and match of what will work best for this particular gig.

Tim, as noted earlier the windscreens are primarily for the wind.

Dave, that UV sanitizer/dryer looks big enough to be useful!

Thanks and good health,  Weogo


Whether or not a windscreen is a placebo, we do work in a service industry and the customer is always right.
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #16 on: April 06, 2021, 11:27:56 AM »

Hi Folks,

    I appreciate everybody for all of the excellent suggestions!
Am going to do a mix and match of what will work best for this particular gig.

Tim, as noted earlier the windscreens are primarily for the wind.

Dave, that UV sanitizer/dryer looks big enough to be useful!

Thanks and good health,  Weogo

UV-C does not penetrate deeply.  Shadows, grime and crud, etc will block UV-C.  I think you'd be better off with some dish soap & water in a small container to wash the foam screens in, squeeze them out, and air dry for a few minutes.

UV-C can *sterilize* but it cannot "clean".
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Geoff Doane

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #17 on: April 06, 2021, 09:43:00 PM »

As Tim observed, sanitizing windscreens is largely theatre, but that's sort of the business we're in, isn't it?

I stumbled across this today, which would seem to bear him out:

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/546541-cdc-risk-of-covid-transmission-on-surfaces-is-low?

GTD
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Tim McCulloch

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #18 on: April 21, 2021, 08:38:59 PM »

A satiric, but correct, update on fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by Stephen Colbert:

https://youtu.be/Y0zVuTTqc6o?t=384
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gordonmcgregor

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #19 on: April 25, 2021, 07:05:08 AM »

A satiric, but correct, update on fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by Stephen Colbert:

https://youtu.be/Y0zVuTTqc6o?t=384
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yddq9s00wd256bi/AADAqOJKjqNhEMMy1oa8yzH2a?dl=0
Tim and Carlson Sound's videos
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Weogo Reed

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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #20 on: May 11, 2021, 05:47:18 PM »

Hi Folks,

> > Customer:
> >  One windscreen will do.
Fine, I can work with that.

> > We need a tech changing windscreens between people talking.
(I bought a bunch of new windscreens.)

> > We think one windscreen will do.
Fine.

> > We need stretchy fabric mic covers between speakers.
(I bought a bunch of stretchy covers.)

> > Actual event: One windscreen will do.
We did change the center mic windscreen between first half and second half.
(Yes, they paid for the windscreens and covers.)

    Center mic was a Shure KSM8 and worked great for this event.
High vocal clarity and surprisingly consistent levels with talking heads
close to the mic, to the side, and turned around 180 degrees.
And it picked up very little wind noise.

Thanks and good health,  Weogo
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Re: vocal mic windscreens
« Reply #20 on: May 11, 2021, 05:47:18 PM »


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